The Artist of the Week is Chinese-Canadian coloratura soprano Sharleen Joynt. She will be performing the role of The Queen of the Night in Mozart‘s The Magic Flute at Seattle Opera from February 22nd to March 9th (tickets and info here).
Sharleen is known for her silvery and resonant soprano voice. Recent engagements include Prima Donna Daria Garbinati in Le convenienze ed inconvenienze teatrali with Wexford Festival Opera, Cunegonde in Candide with Opéra National de Lyon, Morgana in Alcina with Seattle Opera and Gilda in Rigoletto with Colorado Opera, Florida Grand Opera and Edmonton Opera.
This week, Sharleen reveals what you can find in her bag at every gig, the best and worst thing about being an opera artist and what success looks like to her. Read on to find out more.
What/who inspired you to sing?
Beverly Sills.
Heels or flats?
Heels in my 20s, but now I love flats!
Favourite city that you’ve worked in?
Wexford, Ireland.
If you weren’t a singer, you’d be…?
An interior designer.
Which opera role do you want to be singing right now?
Madame Mao and Lucia di Lammermoor.
What’s something most people don’t know about opera life?
People often assume singers are extroverted social butterflies, but we spend hours upon hours alone in a practice room. It’s essential to be content being alone!
What are you afraid of?
Not living life to the fullest.
What’s your favourite mind-calming practice?
Hot yoga.
Where did you go to school?
Mannes College of Music in NYC.
What’s the luckiest thing that has ever happened to you?
Meeting my husband by chance. I happened to sit down next to him at an event.
What’s the downside of being an opera artist?
You never feel like an expert and are always a student, no matter how far along you are with your craft.
What’s the best thing about being an opera artist?
You never feel like an expert and are always a student, no matter how far along you are with your craft.
If you were an animal, what animal would you be?
My dog, Ruby. (She has an extremely good life!)
What’s your guilty pleasure?
Dessert – I can never resist and all my friends know by now that when we get dinner together, dessert is being ordered!
Which colour best symbolises your personality?
Periwinkle.
Do you sing in the shower?
Yes – my favourite acoustic 🙂
Do you enjoy cooking? If yes, what is your best dish?
Spaghetti marinara with fresh Roma tomatoes – my hubby’s favourite.
What is something most people don’t know about you?
I’ve played video games since I was a child and I pack my Nintendo Switch on every opera gig.
What is one thing that you cannot live without?
A weighted eye mask for sleep.
The music industry is tough, and filled with rejection. How do you cope? Does it get easier?
I’ve done work on my self worth, my self love, and to not take things personally – this is the key to everything.
Do you believe in fate?
I believe what is meant to be will be.
Are you a perfectionist?
A recovering perfectionist 🙂
What does success look like to you?
Success to me is the freedom to say yes to what serves you and no to what doesn’t.
LEARN MORE ABOUT SHARLEEN JOYNT
VISIT HER WEBSITE
In Candide at Tanglewood
© Christopher Duggan
In Candide at Wexford Festival Opera
© Patricio Cassinoni
In La bohème at Vancouver Opera
© Timothy Matheson
The Magic Flute
Seattle Opera
TAMINO: Duke Kim and
Victor Robertson
PAMINA: Brandie Sutton and
Camille Ortiz
THE QUEEN OF THE NIGHT:
Sharleen Joynt
SARASTRO: In Sung Sim
PAPAGENO: Rodion Pogossov
FIRST LADY: Ariana Wehr
SECOND LADY: Ibidunni Ojikutu
THIRD LADY: Laurel Semerdjian
MONOSTATOS: Rodell Rosel
PAPAGENA: Tess Altiveros
Myth, magic, and Mozart. Enter the whimsical world of Mozart with this beloved audience favorite in a striking new-to-Seattle production featuring eye-popping hand-drawn animation. In a quest to save the beautiful Pamina, Prince Tamino is joined by the bird catcher Papageno and is given a magic flute with extraordinary powers. The two face a vengeful Queen of the Night and many other trials that test their fidelity, love, and determination. But all ends well when truths are revealed and new love blossoms.
Featuring seamless interaction between onstage performers and animated visuals, this production is a “wonderful show” that is “great for opera lovers, newbies and the whole family” (Los Angeles Times). Inspired by silent movies, Barrie Kosky’s colorful and energetic production comes to Seattle after receiving standing ovations at opera houses around the world.
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Máiri Demings is Opera Canada’s digital content specialist. She’s also a mezzo-soprano who has sung with Tapestry Opera, performs regularly with VOICEBOX: Opera in Concert and Toronto Operetta Theatre, and is one half of duo mezzopiano with pianist Zain Solinski.
